Alisha Lakhani

Head of National Security & Nuclear Non-Proliferation Strategy at Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)

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Head of National Security & Nuclear Non-Proliferation Strategy, Department of Energy Security and Net-Zero (DESNZ)

Policy Fellow, Centre for Science and Policy

Alisha Lakhani is an accomplished Civil Service Policy Professional with extensive cross-sectoral leadership experience across the UK and Scottish Governments. She specialises in international relations, nuclear energy, climate, fiscal, and trade policy.

Her career has spanned various government departments, including HM Treasury, the Scottish Exchequer, the Home Office, and Ministerial Private Office.

Alisha holds a BA Honours in Arabic and International Relations from the University of Leeds.

Currently, Alisha is the Head of National Security and Non-Proliferation Strategy at the Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero. In this role, Alisha leads the bilateral civil nuclear relationship with India, is responsible for the department’s non-proliferation strategy as well as the Nuclear Cluster’s input into national security decision-making structures.

Before joining the Non-Proliferation Unit, Alisha led the Advanced Nuclear Diplomacy Team in DESNZ, where she established new bilateral partnerships with Europe and developed the regulatory approach to UK Small Modular Reactor (SMR) exports.

  • 24 June 2025, 10am

    CSaP Annual Conference 2025

    Our annual conference is designed for an audience of researchers and policy professionals working in government, industry and the third sector, and for anyone who has an interest in the role of research evidence to inform policy making.

  • 20 February 2025, 5:30pm

    2025 Christ's Kennel Climate and Sustainability Seminar: Nature and rights

    The 2025 Christ's College Climate Seminar: Nature and rights – what legal frameworks and practices do we need to protect all life on Earth?